By: Nixon
S.R. No. 1069
SENATE RESOLUTION
WHEREAS, The Senate of the State of Texas is honored to
recognize Miss Margie Neal, the first woman to serve in the
Texas Senate, for the important contributions she made to her
state and its citizens; and
WHEREAS, One of the most illustrious citizens of
Panola County, she was born on April 20, 1875, in Carthage;
from her early years, her life was marked with achievements and
accomplishments that even by today's standards are remarkable;
Miss Neal became the first woman member of the first Democratic
Executive Committee in 1918, and two years later, when women were
first allowed to serve as delegates, she became a delegate to the
Democratic National Convention; and
WHEREAS, Miss Neal's decision to run for the Texas Senate
was based on her interest in public education; she was serving
on the board of regents for the state colleges which had just lost
an effort to obtain passage of legislation that would raise the
state's educational standards when she decided to run for the
Senate; and
WHEREAS, Margie Neal made the race for a Senate seat for
the 40th Legislature with no outside financial help; during her
two terms in the Texas Senate, Miss Neal earned the respect and
appreciation of her colleagues for her hard work and intelligence;
her dedication to the education system of Texas was rewarded when
she was named Vice-Chairman of the Educational Affairs Committee;
and
WHEREAS, Noted for her charm and graciousness as well as
her political acumen, Miss Neal served two terms and worked in
the Roosevelt administration as head of the women's section of
the National Recovery Administration and the women's section of
the Social Security Administration; and
WHEREAS, Homesick for Texas, she asked for a transfer and
for a time worked in San Antonio; at the beginning of 1945 she
returned home to Carthage and enjoyed taking on a multitude of
civic duties; and
WHEREAS, On June 16, 1952, national and state political
leaders converged on Carthage to pay their respects on
Margie E. Neal Appreciation Day; more than a thousand of her
friends came from all over Texas to hear Governor Allan Shivers,
United States Senator Lyndon B. Johnson, and others extol her
lifetime of public service; and
WHEREAS, Until her death in 1971, Miss Neal remained a
highly esteemed and beloved figure in Panola County; her wise
counsel was often sought on matters both personal and political;
and
WHEREAS, A standard-bearer for equal opportunity for women,
Miss Neal should be remembered throughout the state with respect
and gratitute; now, therefore, be it
RESOLVED, That the Senate of the State of Texas,
74th Legislature, hereby commend the life of service of the
first woman Texas Senator and honor her memory; and, be it further
RESOLVED, That a copy of this Resolution be prepared
for Panola County as an expression of the high regard of the
Texas Senate.
______________________________________
President of the Senate
I hereby certify that the above
Resolution was adopted by the Senate
on May 15, 1995.
______________________________________
Secretary of the Senate
______________________________________
Member, Texas Senate